FBI seeks source of prostitution, corruption allegations against Sen. Robert Menendez

[alp227]

Source: Washington Post

A pair of FBI agents met on a recent weekday morning with brothers Alfonso “Alfy” and Jose “Pepe” Fanjul in the Palm Beach headquarters of their sugar and real estate empire.

The investigators’ questions struck a discordant note in the Fanjuls’ sun-filled offices overlooking a yacht-filled waterway, according to three people familiar with the meeting: Were the brothers or any of their associates familiar with a plot to bring down a United States senator?

Months after the FBI began probing allegations against Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), investigators are now looking at whether someone set out to smear him while he was running for re-election last year and then ascending to his new post as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, according to four people briefed on the inquiry.

The scene of federal agents interviewing two of the world’s wealthiest sugar barons, whose business holdings include Domino Sugar, underscores the unusual twists of the saga centered on Menendez, who has been battling allegations that he did special favors for a major campaign donor.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/fbi-seeks-source-of-prostitution-corruption-allegations-against-sen-robert-menendez/2013/05/16/72ad79a0-bbda-11e2-89c9-3be8095fe767_singlePage.html

[OKNancy]

1. good

I'd like to see some Republicans squirm.

[siligut]

2. Who had the most to gain if Menendez lost?

And wow, Alfy Fanjul actually called to say that it wasn't him? Have to wonder about that.

Longtime Republican operative, Roger Stone, called a mutual acquaintance, who then relayed a message to Menendez, according to people familiar with the call: Stone had not been the source of the accusations.

In an interview, Stone acknowledged that he didn’t like Menendez and said he has been working on a report for his Web site, the Stone Zone, calling into question whether the Dominican women had actually recanted the prostitution allegations. “As far as I’m concerned, whether those allegations are true or false is still an open question,” he said.

But Stone stressed, “I don’t know who the originator is.”

Stone is an idiot.

[Pab Sungenis]

10. Who had the most to gain?

Chris Christie, who had already led one witch hunt against Menendez and would have appointed himself to the seat if Menendez resigned.

[siligut]

11. Wonder if Alfy Fanjul knows and that is why he was feeling scrutinized

I don't know much about Christie's machinations, but the Menendez job looks sloppy. Clearly failure to know and use the mark's actual weaknesses.

[Kingofalldems]

3. So I guess these two threads are inoperative:

http://demu.gr/1014301720

http://demu.gr/1014384932

[KoKo]

4. Bob Menendez was a more liberal Dem Voter than most of his fellow Dems..

So, I always thought that something "Stunk to the Heavens" with the stuff thrown at him.

While it's not unusual these days to have Senators or House Members have "bad stuff" come out against them...I couldn't see it with Menendez. But, then I never would have thought that Bill Clinton would have been in "room off Oval Office" having Blow Jobs..either.

You just never know these days...but, I still have hope and faith that these were FALSE CHARGES against one of our most consistent Liberal Voters in the Senate...and I'd hate to find out that these charges had a shred of REAL evidence... I'm watching and waiting and hope that the evidence shows he was SET UP and not that he was involved in any of this.

[okaawhatever]

5. I think Christie backers are behind this. The history between those two is very

interesting. The salon article i'm linking to tells it better, but basically: Christie appointed federal prosecutor by Bush. Christie makes early draft of Bush's hit list for attorney's being fired. Menendez runs for Senate (He was appointed to fill the seat of a senator who left one year shy of term). During this time Menendez is campaigning for full seat and leading. Christie announces investigation into Menendez. Christie is taken off hit list by Bush. Menendez wins election. Charges never filed, nothing ever comes of investigation. Does that sound familiar, as in Richardson of New Mexico?

Here's the problem. Most don't know anything about it, and if Christie is going to run for Prez this has to go away. I'm trying to remember the timing but basically






http://www.salon.com/2011/09/30/christie_menendez/

[KoKo]

6. Thank for the Salon link...looks like an interesting read for

that background between Christie..Menendez.

[KoKo]

7. Okay...yes certainly seems

that Christie and Menendez could have had some political conflict. I was sorry to see John Corzine's name come up. His Hedge Fund Fiasco still hasn't seemed to have a resolution.

But, there's much in NJ Politics that can be confusing and conflicting with so many different factions who have power behind the scenes.

Interesting read. I used to live there many years ago...so it was like "catching up."

[MADem]

8. Smear him? Why whoever would want to DEW sucha THANG?

I just can't IMAGINE....!!!!

Investigators have also recently sought to trace the cyber-trail of an anonymous tipster who first made the prostitution claims in spring 2012 to a government watchdog.

Gee, wonder if Karl Rove sent that out....?

[Kingofalldems]

9. K and R